Lichens - Introduction
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Description:
Lichens are dual organisms, where fungus and algae remain in a mutual relationship with each other. It is a permanent association of a fungus or mycobiont and an algae or phycobiont. There are about 15,000 species of lichens.
Lichens grows in places like barren rocks, cooled volcanic lava, sand dunes, tree barks, leaves etc. Commonly live under humid and exposed conditions.
Lichens can tolerate extreme desiccation but they cannot tolerate air pollution especially due to Sulphur dioxide.
Lichens are perennial and their growth is slow. Some lichens of artic are believed to be 4500 years old.
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